Question Details

Converting [A] into [C] is called:

Options

A

Ammonolysis

B

Hoffmann Degradation Reaction

C

Carbylamine reaction

D

Gabriel phthalamide reaction

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option B

Hoffmann Degradation Reaction

Solution :

The correct option is Hoffmann Degradation Reaction.

Let's understand the chemistry behind this conversion step-by-step:

1. Understanding the Hoffmann Degradation Reaction:
The Hoffmann bromamide degradation reaction (also known as the Hoffmann degradation) is a classic organic reaction used to convert a primary amide into a primary amine with one fewer carbon atom. The general representation of this reaction is:

R C O N H 2 + B r 2 + 4 K O H R N H 2 + K 2 C O 3 + 2 K B r + 2 H 2 O

2. Why it is called a "Degradation" reaction:
During this reaction, the carbonyl carbon (C=O) of the starting amide is lost as a carbonate ion (CO32-). As a result, the product amine contains one less carbon atom than the starting amide, which explains the term "degradation".

3. Comparing the Options:
- Ammonolysis: This refers to the cleavage of a chemical bond by reaction with ammonia (e.g., converting alkyl halides to amines).
- Hoffmann Degradation Reaction: This is the correct reaction for converting an amide [A] to a primary amine [C] with loss of a carbon atom.
- Carbylamine reaction: This is a test for primary amines where they react with chloroform and potassium hydroxide to form foul-smelling isocyanides.
- Gabriel phthalimide reaction: This is a method used for the preparation of primary alkyl amines from phthalimide, not for converting a simple amide to an amine with carbon chain shortening.

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